FIRST GERMAN EXTREME DRUMMING COMMUNITY & FESTIVAL

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Bloodhammer Interview (Belphegor)

Hi Bloodhammer, currently you´re on tour with the mighty BELPHEGOR. Can you tell us how you joined the band?

Hey Ronald.
First of all thank you for the opportunity to make this interview happen! I really appreciate your work and support over the years! All started as a good friend of mine (also a close friend to the band) told me that BELPHEGOR started auditions for a new drummer and that I can send them some drum videos cause he already told Helmuth and Serpenth he knows someone who could handle the job. So I sent some audition videos and after a short time writing emails with Helmuth we met and rehearsed together. I made it and I am really proud to be a part of this outstanding band and have the opportunity to travel around the globe and play big shows!! I played my first BELPHEGOR ritual in December 2014 in Switzerland. This was and still is crazy, exciting and challenging. Those guys demand a lot when it cames to music! I just got the BELPHEGOR logo inked on my stomach from the bass player Serpenth. My skin-deep tribute to the troop.

At the moment you´re on tour and you were a part of the 7000 Tons Metal Cruise Ship. How was the atmosphere on the boat?

The time on the cruise was amazing! I’m really glad that we had the chance to play there, what an intense experience! Also the first Costa Rica show for BELPHEGOR after the cruise trip was stellar. I remember we spent a lot time and money (haha) in the casino and the bars. We definitely wanna return and play there again. This is something really special. All the bands played two times at different stages and days. Both shows turned out killer and the crowd celebrated „Diabolical Death/ Black Metal“ with us.

Are you a professional drummer or do you have any other jobs?

I’m a full time drummer. We tour a lot and also practice a lot together with the band. And if we don’t practice together I rehearse at home at least 6hrs a day. So you see there is no time for a job besides. It’s tough sometimes but I do what I ever wanted to and money is just paper in my opinion.

Do you have any other bands beside BELPHEGOR?

I have my own band called SCORNED SAVIOR. We are still in the writing process for our debut album. It’s a mix of fast and Brutal Death – Black Metal. Be prepared!

How can we imagine your practice-routine?

I start with stretching my fingers and leg muscles.Then I separate my training in two different parts. Part 1 is 2-3hrs on the practice pad. I always use a metronome for this part. I begin with a descent speed at 210 BPM and start with my right foot doing 8th notes singles for three minutes without any stop. The same with my left foot and also with the right and left hand. One by one. All routines three minutes without a break. Then I rise the speed each time for 10 BPM and do all the 8th notes routines again with hands and feets till I reach 280 BPM.
Part 2 of my daily rehearsal routine includes 3-4hrs of playing on the acoustic drum set. I play different variations of blast beats, double bass, triplets etc. But mostly jamming to songs.

What is your biggest inspiration?

I like to watch YouTube. Find new drummers, new styles, new beats and new bands.

What is your personal definition of an awesome and serious groove?

I like to watch guys who combine power, technique, variety, creativity and uniqueness.
Guys like Derek Roddy, Gene Hoglan, George Kollias, Max Kolesne have these authentic play styles which I really dig!

We just started with the writing process for the new BELPHEGOR album. That means between the live cremations we gonna rehearse those new soundcollages and record them for the pre-production. The plan is to get it to the next level of extermity with the typical BELPHEGOR tone they are known for. Helmuth also started talking with some recording studios. It looks like we will return to USA shores again and track the new monster with a new producer over there. Stagnation is death!! In the meantime we’ll tour Russia together with Nile, play Summer Slam Festival – the biggest Metal open air in the Philippines followed by several European summer festivals. August/ September we’ll do a headlining tour through North America again. Dates will be announced soon. After all this live presence we start tracking the new yet untitled album. Worldwide release date is February 2017. Be prepared!